Naval Education and Training Command's Rear Adm. Pete Garvin and Force Master Chief Matthew Harris spent an afternoon in Dahlgren, Va. visiting Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC) and its schoolhouse, SCSTC AEGIS Training and Readiness Center (ATRC), onboard Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren, observing Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL) / Surface Training Advanced Virtual Environment-Combat Systems (STAVE-CS) training solutions, interacting with instructors and students, and discussing Warrior Toughness, and Adm. Mike Gilday’s, chief of naval operations (CNO), “Get Real, Get Better” initiative. 
 
Garvin met with Capt. George Kessler, SCSTC commodore, and Capt. Russ Sanchez, SCSTC ATRC commanding officer, to discuss advances in training at the schoolhouse and throughout the SCSTC domain. 
 
“We provide effective high fidelity tactical employment training at SCSTC ATRC and our 11 other global learning sites and detachments,” said Kessler. “We ensure our warfighters possess the tactical and technical competence and proficiency needed to execute the mission across the spectrum of operations in today’s challenging environment.”

 
Harris participated in an all-hands call with SCSTC ATRC’s Chief’s Mess discussing a wide range of topics including Warrior Toughness and CNO’s “Get Real, Get Better.”
 
“Our Sailors are better prepared to respond to demanding situations with a Warrior Mindset - toughness in the mind, body and soul,” said Harris.  “As chief petty officers, it is your duty to make sure our future warfighters have the ability to persevere and perform under both immediate danger and long-term stress, both on deckplates and at home.  ‘Get Real, Get Better’ is a call to action for every Navy leader.  You need to apply your exceptional leadership and mentoring skills that helped shape you into the chief you are today and ensure our junior Sailors achieve exceptional performance.”
 
After both engagements concluded, Garvin and Harris observed how SCSTC ATRC prepares a lethal warfighting force.
 
“We provided a detailed tour of our RRL / STAVE-CS training solutions, including our Virtual Maintenance Trainer [VMT] and Reconfigurable Combat Information Center Trainer [RCT],” explained Sanchez.  “The VMT is a high-fidelity 3D gaming environment that provides a virtual depiction of the Aegis Weapon System computer network. The RCT is engineered to replicate a naval warship’s actual combat suite and delivers an environment where we can realistically recreate the high-end tactical training needed to build lethality, warfighting, and tactical proficiency.  Both our ships and Sailors are better prepared as a result of these training systems.”
 
The VMT and RCT were both funded by Director, Surface Warfare’s (OPNAV N96) program of record, STAVE-CS, which was introduced in 2015 as a means to provide better quality training resulting in more rapid qualifications of our Sailors. 
 
During the tour, Garvin also recognized SCSTC ATRC’s Fire Controlman (Aegis) 1st Class Dustin Stephens, Fire Controlman (Aegis) 1st Class Andrea Taylor, and Operations Specialist 1st Class Russel Heilman’s achievements.
 
“These Sailors are who you want to be,” he said.  “They embody the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment and are building the next generation of warfighters.”
 
After the visit concluded, Garvin remarked on SCSTC ATRC’s overall training efforts. 
 
“The training this schoolhouse provides enhances the skills and abilities of our warfighters,” said Garvin.  “I have no doubt that when they depart Dahlgren and go to the fleet, they will be ready to fight and win against any adversary, wherever and whenever.”
 
Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC) falls under the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).  NETC, led by Rear Adm. Peter Garvin, is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command.  NETC’s mission is to recruit and hire talented civilians, deliver training and education to transform civilians into Sailors and distribute accession Sailors to the Fleet to maximize readiness and ensure mission success; to provide specialized training and educational tools to advance the personal and professional development of Sailors throughout their career; and serve as sole claimant for individual training and education and as the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (COMUSFLTFORCOM) on training and education related matters.
 
SCSTC is a training organization of over 6,500 staff and students across 12 global locations, including SCSTC ATRC, and delivers system and platform specific combat systems training to a growing surface Navy.
 
SCSTC ATRC provides Sailors with the knowledge, ability, and skill to operate and maintain the AEGIS Combat System through timely, effective, and integrated training delivered across Sailors' careers. ATRC also provides Officers the knowledge, ability, and skill to operate, employ, and assess the readiness of the AEGIS combat system aboard surface warships.
 
For information on the SCSTC ATRC, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/SCSTC-ATRC/
 
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